Share
Print
Established in 1934, NARL has shaped agricultural research in Uganda and greatly contributed to the development of the agricultural sector and socio-economic development of the country. Throughout its journey the institution has evolved in mandate and structure to develop novel agricultural technologies and innovations, and solve agricultural challenges of the times.
NARL was established in 1934 and officially began undertaking agricultural research in 1937 on coffee, tea, cotton and native crops. Over the 86 years of its operation, the institute has undergone numerous changes to suit the political, social and economic environment of the country. The current structure of NARL is a result of the NAR Act, 2005 that designates the institute as one of NARIs with a mandate to carry out agricultural research of a strategic nature and national importance. Under the new mandate, NARL carries out strategic research on five areas: bananas; food biosciences and agribusiness; biosystems and agricultural engineering; soils, environment and agrometeorology; and biodiversity and biotechnology.